Danny Does Time
Danny called me for the first time one night in December. I heard a strain and urgency in his voice, so I attempted to answer his questions quickly and concisely, yet each answer I provided elicited a new question from him.
"Just one more question, please..." His questions soon multiplied.
His 60 year old father was diagnosed with a rare intestinal cancer the week before Christmas. Lacking any physicians experienced in treating this cancer in the Seattle area, the family was at loss for answers.
Adding to the distress was Danny's guilt from a ten year estrangement with his dad. Recently reconciled in October, they were trying to rebuild a relationship that had dwindled over the years.
"I just got him back into my life, and now the cancer is going to take him away from me!" Danny exclaimed.
The cause of their estrangement had been some foolish choices Danny made in his youth. Sold a little dope. Did a little time. But now he was back on track, making up for lost time with his dad.
Danny was honest about the mistakes of his youth. He was forthcoming about his commitment to start a new life.
Knowing the recidivism rate of parolees, I was impressed with his recovery and goals. "Are you in a program?" I inquired, referring to one of the twelve step programs.
"Yes!" he responded with enthusiasm. "I'm in the 'Get Up Early and go to Work' Program!"
Within the past twenty-four hours since he first contacted me, he has managed to telephone all four of the country's leading experts in his dad's rare cancer. He scheduled appointments for consultations between the surgeons and his father and began arranging for the long distance travel the appointments would require.
Although, during his incarceration, Danny lost time with his father, he is now instrumental in adding time to his dad's life, extending his father's future by taking proactive steps this week to obtain the best possible medical care for his dad!
An Excerpt from "Where the Red Tailed Hawk Flies: Love Conquers Cancer" and "Where the Red Tailed Hawk Flies: Cancer Can't Defeat!" Copyright (c)2001 by Gabriella Graham/Red Tailed Hawk Publishing